Flow To Help Healing Eye Problems
In my heart I knew that our psychology is very closely connected to our sight. But I did not know how to describe the connection. This week I had the perfect opportunity to get an expert view from an ophthalmologist {eye doctor to most of us:)} I could do this because I was with my mother helping her through two cataract operations. His answers helped me to formulate an unusual method to help healing eye problems.
So, is it not wonderful that when we do what we enjoy, whilst creating the conditions of flow in our lives we can improve our health including our eyesight!
Help Healing Eye Problems By Reducing Stress
Our ophthalmologist, Dr Turgay Çetin was very pleased to be asked as he explained how, soon after the surgery children can develop eye problems again. He told me that stress causes the blood flow going to the eye decrease by narrowing the veins. I deduced that since these children’s home, school and /or social environment were the same, their stress level stayed the same.
His comment reminded me of the work of the existential psychiatrist R. D. Laing, who said that after someone had successfully been treated in a psychiatric hospital they are usually discharged into exactly the same environment that made them mad originally.
It seems, then, that not psychiatrists as well as ophthalmologists need to collaborate with psychologists.
Learn About The Flow To Help Healing Eye Problems
When we are frustrated, our cognitive abilities go down, our cortisol levels increase, the area of the brain linked to fear is aroused and our immune system becomes dangerously low.
Do you ever get involved in something so deeply that nothing else seems to matter and you lose track of time?
This is the state of flow, a state of effortless concentration and enjoyment. The extensive research of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the psychologist who studied the state of ‘flow’ indicate that it is also associated with increased curiosity and creativity.
When we are in the flow we also lose our sense of self, our inner critic and our fears. Therefore it is not surprising that during the flow state our health improves.
Extra Help From Stephen Bray’s Practice
My wonderful hubby has near perfect eyes. Since he is a pretty balanced person, eating and living sensibly overall, I am not surprised. However I should also report that he has been using occasionally what he calls ‘trainer specs’ since I have known him since 1995. This is a pinhole device made of opaque material with lots of tiny holes in them. I guess like all muscles our eye muscles too must be benefiting from regular work out.
Increase Flow States Whilst Healing Eye Problems
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the flow state cannot be forced, however when certain conditions are aligned flow becomes the natural consequence. Here are these conditions:
- A challenge or task that is not too easy, so that we do not get bored.
- A challenge or task that is slightly above our level of expertise, so that anxiety does not interfere.
- A clear goal we care about.
- A focus on the process, not the goal.
- Ability to focus on the task without interruptions.
“The important thing is to enjoy the activity for its own sake, and to know that what matters is not the result, but the control one is acquiring over one’s attention.”
― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Finding Flow: The Psychology Of Engagement With Everyday Life
So, is it not wonderful that when we do what we enjoy, whilst creating the conditions of flow in our lives we can improve our health including our eyesight!
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)image:Vagelis Kalampalikis
